Oxygen Administration

What are 4 reasons why a patient might require oxygen?

1) chronic respiratory pathology

2) acute respiratory pathology

3) anxiety

4) shock

Define oxygen (O2) flow rate & give the unit of measure

- amount of O2/min. prescribed to patient

- Liters/min.

Who can prescribe and/or change the O2 leel administered to a patient?

the physician

How is dose determined?

by the physician's order

What is normal O2 saturation?

95% and higher

What type of flow is essential for chronic lung diagnosis?

low flow rate (at or less than 3 L/min usually)

What are two hazards associated with O2 administration?

- combustible (no smoking, sparks or flame)

- O2 toxicity (if @ 100% O2 saturation for more than a few hours)

Describe the nasal cannula

flexible tubing with 2 ports that go into the nose

What is the range of flow rates for a nasal cannula?

1-6 L/min

What are the benefits of a nasal canula?

- comfort

- portable

- patient can communicate

List the four types of O2 masks & give the O2 flow rates of each

1) simple mask: 6-10 L/min

2) partial rebreathing mask: 6-10 L/min

3) non-rebreathing mask: 8-15 L/min

4) venturi for COPD: 10 L/m

What kind of face mask is this?

simple mask

What kind of face mask is this?

non-rebreather mask

What kind of face mask is this?

partial rebreather mask

What kind of face mask is this?

venturi mask

Describe the O2 mixture of the simple/partial rebreather masks

allows some room air to mix with O2 (for partial rebreather, about 40-70% O2)

Describe the O2 mixture of the non-rebreather mask

does not allow room air to mix with O2 (contains 100% O2)

Describe the O2 mixture of the venturi mask

dial allows precise ratio of O2 & room air to be set

When is an oxygen tent used? and who can turn it off?

- it is typically used for children

- the nurse

What is tracheal intubation?

the process of accessing the respiratory system distal to the pharynx

What are the 3 types of intubation? What do they access through?

1) transtracheal (tracheostomy): a stoma in the cricoid cartilage

2) orotracheal: oral cavity

3) nasotracheal: nasal cavity (usually on infants)

What does a mechanical respirator (ventilator) do?

it is a mechanical device that completely controls the patient's breathing: respiratory rate, inspiratory rate & O2 content

What must an X-ray tech be careful not to do when working with a patient on a mechanical respirator?

use caution when positioning patient because you could dislodge it

What are the order of events when moving a patient from a wall-mount O2 to a canister?

1) check flow rate of the wall-mount (middle of floating ball)

2) turn your canister to correct rate

3) disconnect O2 tube from the wall-mount (leave O2 running)

4) connect the O2 tube to the canister

5) turn off the wall-mounted O2

Remember what 3 things with O2?

1) never have patient without hteir oxygen

2) if you can't hear the O2, feel for it

3) make sure there is O2 left in the tank